Primary finding
Probable cause
failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during a touch-and-go landing, which resulted in a ground swerve and subsequent collision with a parked airplane.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During a touch-and-go landing on a student solo training flight, the aircraft departed the side of the runway. Subsequently, it went across a grass area, a taxiway, and onto an adjacent ramp, where it collided with a parked aircraft (Cessna 402, N26156). The student pilot had a total flight time of 31 hours, which included 12.3 hours in the same make and model and 2.6 hours of solo flight time.
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 12, 1996, at 1030 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N3535E, departed the side of the runway during takeoff on a touch-and-go landing at Four Corners Regional Airport, Farmington, New Mexico. The solo student pilot was not injured and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The flight was operating under Title 14 CFR Part 91 as a student solo training flight and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. According to witnesses in the control tower, it appeared the pilot lost control during a touch-and-go landing and went off the side of the runway, across a grass area, taxiway, and onto an adjacent ramp where the aircraft collided with a parked Cessna 402 (N26156) causing minor damage to the parked aircraft. The pilot's statement (see attached) collaborates what the control tower personnel observed and reported in an interview with an FAA inspector. As reported on NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the student pilot had 31 hours total flight time, 12.3 hours in this make and model aircraft, and according to his written statement, he had soloed after 28.4 hours of instruction. Thus, it is calculated that he had 2.6 hours of solo flight time. -